Category Archives: Housing

Development, Housing

Regional Directors Put Cortes Affordable Housing Project At Risk

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National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An affordable rental housing project on Cortes Island is in peril after a trio of rural directors voted to postpone public hearings in their regions until September.

Strathcona Regional District’s rural directors Jim Abram, Brenda Leigh and Gerald Whalley voted to defer the rezoning hearing for Rainbow Ridge, a 20-unit subsidized rental home project for families, singles and seniors, at the May 27 board meeting.

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Development, Housing

SRD Delaying Cortes Island Businesses

Campbell River Mirror, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The trend of delaying Cortes Island businesses on the Strathcona Regional District board table continues. 

This time it could cost the small island community, with a population of 1,000, a multi-million dollar affordable housing project amidst a housing crisis on Cortes. 

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Development, Housing

Public Hearing For Rainbow Ridge Postponed Until September – Or Later

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The political maneuvering began as the agenda, for the Strathcona Regional District Board’s May 27th meeting, was adopted. Regional Director Jim Abram added a “subsequent,’ which he said was way down the agenda. A number of comments, scattered throughout the video below, show that the other rural directors knew what was coming. Regional Director Brenda Leigh alluded to Abram having “something better to propose.” Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson expressed disappointment that one of her colleagues “is trying to put forward a motion ahead of time to not even allow this discussion.” Two major Quadra Island projects – the proposed BC Ferries passenger service and new firehall – have also been delayed because of the Electoral Areas Services Committee’s (EASC) prearranged decision. The public hearing for Rainbow Ridge is postponed until sometime after September 7th, 2020. 

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Development, Housing, Seniors

Seniors Housing Projects On Cortes & Quadra

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National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Cortes Island senior Douglas Butt considers himself fortunate. The 87-year-old lives in a secure, well-maintained cottage in a small seniors complex with reasonable rent and a beautiful garden and grounds. Housing attributes that are exceptionally hard to find for seniors living and renting on Cortes, Butt said.

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Housing

Controversy Over Lack Of Summer Rentals

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Close to a third of the population (34.6%) live in rental accommodations. Given Cortes Island’s popularity as a tourist destination, it’s not surprising that a significant proportion are forced to move out of their homes every summer, when landlords either take up residence themselves or use these buildings as lucrative vacation rentals. According to a recent post by Regional Director Noba Anderson the BC Residential Tenancy Act changed recently. There is a controversy over the lack of rental rentals. 

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